Home Office

Electronic Surveillance

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their stated intention to require both ministerial and judicial authorisation for warrants under the Investigatory Powers Bill, why they consider it necessary to include a provision limiting judicial scrutiny to judicial review principles.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Investigatory Powers Bill creates a “double lock” for the use of the most intrusive in-vestigatory powers such that a decision to issue a warrant must be approved by a Judicial Commissioner.As the Secretary of State for the Home Department set out last November, this system balances Parliamentary accountability with independent consideration by a judicial authority. The application of judicial review principles is a robust, yet flexible, approach that the judiciary have significant experience in applying as the framework for independent scrutiny of Executive decision making. The ‘double-lock’, including the use of judicial review principles, was considered in detail by the Joint Committee that scrutinised the draft Bill. The Committee concluded that they were satisfied with the use of judicial review principles and that they would afford the Judicial Commissioners considerable flexibility in reviewing decisions to authorise the use of investigatory powers.In response to concerns expressed during Commons Committee Stage, the Government tabled an amendment to the test at report. That amendment makes it clear that when carrying out their review of the decision to issue the warrant, the Judicial Commissioner must do so with a sufficient degree of care so as to ensure that the Commissioner complies with their duties under clause 5 (General duties in relation to privacy). There was strong support from across the House for this amendment.

Visas: Iran

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Iranian citizens have applied for (1) visitor, (2) student, and (3) settlement, visas since the opening of the British Embassy in Tehran; and how many of those applications in each category were successful.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The number of visa applications made in Iran since the opening of the British Embassy in Tehran for 1) visitor, 2) student, and 3) settlement and the number of successful applications made in each of these categories is contained in the attached Table: Table 1 - No. of Applications Processed in Abu Dhabi where Mobile Biometrics have been taken in Tehran between 01/01/16 and 31/03/2016 for Iranian Nationals  Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Visitor Category made in Tehran   175Of which issued   50 Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Student Category made in Tehran   10of which issued   5 Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Settlement Category made in Tehran   20of which issued5  NotesApplications considered as made in Tehran when biometrics taken by Abu Dhabi Mobile Biometrics Units in TehranApplications submitted to Tehran have a decision made by a different postFor the purpose of this data Iranian Citizens have been classed as Iranian by nationalityThe figures reported are based only on considerations made against the specific named nationality requested, this does not account for applications made by non-nationals at this postFor the purpose of this data successful applications have been classed as those issuedThe figures reported are calculated based on the number of application outcome events, rather than the number of individuals consideredAll figures rounded to nearest 5.   This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics. 



PQ HL387 - Table 
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Immigration: Middle East

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they use to decide the requirements for entry to the UK for (1) Israelis, and (2) Palestinians.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Non-EEA nationals seeking entry to the UK for any purpose must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. The Rules set out the criteria that applications for entry clearance, leave to enter and leave to remain must meet to qualify for entry or to remain. Applicants must produce either a valid passport or travel document that satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality or citizenship. Nationals or citizens of Israel who hold a full Israeli passport, do not require a visa to come to the UK as a visitor or for any other purpose, for less than six months. Holders of Palestinian travel documents require a visa to come to the UK for any purpose in the Immigration Rules

Visas: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Home Office refused visas to two marathon runners from Palestine who were due to compete in the Derry Walled City marathon on 5 June.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the Immigration Rules. In order to safeguard an individual’s personal information and comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 the Home Office is limited in what information it can provide when the request is made by someone who is not the applicant. The Home Office is therefore unable to provide the information requested.

Refugees: Children

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to co-operate with voluntary organisations in bringing unaccompanied minors to the UK from refugee camps in Europe.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a timetable has been established for bringing unaccompanied minors to the UK from refugee camps in Europe; and if so, how many children are anticipated to arrive during each stage.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to ensure the proper provision of safe housing for unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to establish social services and psychosocial support for unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what process they plan to follow to identify eligible unaccompanied minors and bring them to the UK from refugee camps in Europe.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe will be assigned to families through the usual system of allocation to foster carers.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As announced by the Prime Minister on 4 May and now reflected in the Immigration Act 2016, we will work to admit unaccompanied refugee children to the UK from elsewhere in the EU, where this is considered to be in the child’s best interests.The legislation is clear that consultation with local authorities is needed before any figure is set. We are working closely with local authorities and consulting NGOs, the UNHCR, UNICEF and relevant Member States to establish suitable processes to im-plement this initiative.We are committed to act as quickly as we can but we must take the necessary time to ensure we have the capacity to resettle and support those who are resettled.We must also ensure that we fulfil our obligations to children who are already in the UK. We will be working closely with local authorities to find suitable placements within the UK. Statutory agencies at a local level are best placed to understand and meet the needs of all children and will continue to make decisions about the right accommodation and support services for those who are looked after. Unaccompanied children will be eligible for foster care if it is considered that that this placement type will provide appropriate support and best meet their individual needs.The UK has well-established and effective safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety of children who come to the UK. All children brought to the UK will be given the care, support and education they require.

Asylum: Visas

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in family reunion cases, they are considering providing entry visas valid for longer than 30 days, to enable visa holders to complete all the required exit procedures and necessary travel arrangements.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We issue a flexible 30-day visa to non-EEA nationals coming from overseas to stay in the UK for over six months to enable them to collect their biometric residence permits (BRP) shortly after they arrive in the UK.When a family reunion application is made, individuals can specify the date they would like the 30-day visa to start to enable them to make any necessary travel arrangements, including obtaining exit visas. The start date of the visa can be deferred for up to three months from the date of application. If there is any delay expected in the processing time of the application, the individual will be contacted by UKVI and informed about the delay. Where someone is unable to make arrangements to travel to the UK within the 30 day period, they can apply for a replacement visa.

Police: Boats

Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which police forces in areas with North Sea coastlines or English Channel coastlines from Norfolk south and west to Devon and Cornwall have marine or boat units capable of patrolling estuaries or inshore sea waters; and what is the maximum range in which those police forces' units are licensed to operate.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Home Office does not collect this information. Decisions on the local deployment of assets and resources, including marine units, are for individual chief constables working with their police and crime commissioner.

UK Border Force: Boats

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Border Force vessels patrol UK territorial waters at any one time; and how many are needed to ensure the required levels of surveillance and security of the UK's coastline.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Border Force is committed to operating three cutters in UK waters at any given time. We currently have a total of four available for use in UK waters, with one rotated into use where required. These figures only include the number of cutters currently deployed in UK territorial waters and do not include the additional military and law enforcement vessels available. Border Force takes a multi-layered approach to maritime security; using a combination of cutters, radar and aerial surveillance to detect efforts to smuggle guns and drugs or facilitate illegal entry into the country. They also work closely with domestic and international partners on an intelligence-led approach, allowing us to tackle the criminals involved before they leave for the UK. Border Force is also investing in a new fleet of rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) as part of a new maritime security strategy. The vessels will patrol the UK coast, helping to intercept attempts to smuggle migrants, drugs and dangerous weapons into the country.

Undocumented Migrants

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal maritime arrivals have reached the UK in each year since 2010.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Specific details on numbers or locations of suspected illegal maritime arrivals are not disclosed for security reasons.

Migrant Workers: Entry Clearances

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relation to certificates of sponsorship used to support immigrants' entry clearance or extension of stay applications, (1) how many sponsoring employers are currently registered, (2) where those employers are listed, (3) how many certificates of sponsorship are granted to each sponsoring employer, (4) whether such figures are available on application, and (5) what was the total number of those sponsored in the last two years.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are currently 30,181 sponsoring employers on the register of licensed sponsors.The register is published on the “www.gov.uk” website and can be found on the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workersThe number of certificates granted to sponsoring employers differ depending on their recruitment requirements. Sponsoring employers may submit a request at the point their licence application is submitted. A sponsor can submit a further request to increase their allocation once licensed.A sponsor is not granted a pre determined allocation of Certificates of sponsorship (CoS) at licensing stage.The total number of CoS assigned to individuals in 2014 is 133,820.The total number of CoS assigned to individuals in 2015 is 131,617

Emigration

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to tackle the decline in the number of UK citizens moving to live overseas.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has no legal basis to influence where UK citizens choose to live.

College of Policing: Saudi Arabia

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the warnings by Reprieve that the College of Policing training programmes in Saudi Arabia could lead to the arrest and torture of human rights activists, whether they intend to suspend such programmes.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The College of Policing's work in Saudi Arabia supports the development of international policing on the model of the British model of policing by consent.The College ensures that respect for human rights and dignity is integral to each programme, with course developers and trainers required to include a bespoke human rights and ethical decision-making element in each course. All its programmes are kept under review, but it currently has no intention of withdrawing its services.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many detainees have reportedly been sexually assaulted or raped inside Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre since Serco took over its operation.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Serco, the private supplier at Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre (IRC), took over the centre’s operation in February 2007. Since 2008, the date from which local records have been collated centrally, there have been twenty three allegations of sexual assault or rape made by detainees against staff. This includes two allegations of rape, of which one was unsubstantiated and one is subject to continuing criminal proceedings. This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics.All complaints made by detainees at an IRC are investigated by the IRC supplier in accordance with Detention Services Order 03/2015. Any allegations of serious misconduct made by a detainee against staff at an IRC are also referred to the Home Office Professional Standards Unit for investigation. Where a detainee, or someone on behalf of a detainee, alleges that a member of staff has committed a sexual offence against them the police will automatically be notified, even if the detainee does not wish the matter to be reported or to make a formal complaint.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

North Korea: Rape

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of North Korea on reports of widespread rape committed by its military; and whether the UK defence attaché to North Korea will raise this issue with their counterpart.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of the disturbing reports of sexual violence within the Korean People’s Army. We consistently raise our concerns about the appalling human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) directly with the regime. In June, our Ambassador to North Korea made clear the UK’s position on human rights in a speech in Pyongyang attended by DPRK senior officials. We regularly raise North Korean human rights issues in multilateral fora such as the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, and will continue to do so.

North Korea: Refugees

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of stateless children living in China with one North Korean parent.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government has not made an assessment of the number of stateless children living in China with one North Korean parent.

North Korea: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the British Embassy in North Korea has presented a copy of the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to North Korean officials; and whether the UK Ambassador to North Korea has held discussions on that report with his North Korean counterparts.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Embassy in Pyongyang continues to raise the Commission of Inquiry report in bilateral discussions with the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and urges them to engage with the international community on the human rights situation in the DPRK. Our Embassy has not specifically presented a copy of the report to North Korean officials, but we have presented North Korean officials with a supporting Written Statement by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire).

Colombia: Human Rights

Baroness Hooper: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Colombia about the dangers faced by defenders of human rights and leaders of land restitution claims, and the case for enhancing their protection.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned by the increase in violence towards human rights defenders (HRDs) in Colombia. Reports from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Somos Defensores indicate that 63 HRDs were killed in 2015, a 13 per cent increase from 2014. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), raised this issue during his meeting with President Santos on 12 May. During his visit to Colombia in April, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), also raised human rights concerns with the Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister, Patti Londoño-Jaramillo. Ensuring protection and support for HRDs, including leaders of land restitution claims, is a priority area for our Embassy in Bogotá. As well as monitoring specific cases, the UK raises our concerns with the Colombian government at every possible opportunity. Our Ambassador to Colombia recently joined an international community initiative called “Ambassadors with Defenders” that aims to raise awareness of the situation of HRDs and follow up on specific cases. Earlier this year, the Ambassador accompanied the Colombian Minister of Interior to a regional human rights roundtable, where the role of local authorities in taking effective action on HRD cases was discussed. The UK was the only member of the international community invited to this event. With regards to increased protection, on 26 April, President Santos announced the creation of a high level group in charge of investigating threats and killings against HRDs. He invited human rights organisations to appoint five representatives to participate in this group. The Attorney General’s Office has prioritised the investigations of these cases.

Ivory Coast: Political Prisoners

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Ivory Coast about the number of prisoners being held for political reasons following the elections of 2010; what responses, if any, they have had; and whether they are in touch with local Roman Catholic bishops about that issue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK has worked closely with the UN Special Representative for Côte D’Ivoire, and international partners to ensure that, as part of the national reconciliation process, those held in detention since the 2010/11 post-electoral crisis without formal criminal charges, or no charges to answer, were released. We welcome President Ouattara’s release of the final 3,100 such prisoners in January 2016. A further 265 prisoners remain on remand: all have been charged with criminal offences committed during the crisis. Following the visit of the UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Abidjan Prison on 10 June and subsequent meeting with President Ouattara, the Justice Minister has given an assurance that the trials will be completed by the end of December 2016. The UK continues to urge for the trials to be held in a timely manner. To promote national reconciliation, the UK and other international partners continue to press for the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to ensure that all parties responsible for human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law are brought to justice, no matter what their political affiliation. Whilst local Roman Catholic bishops have not directly contacted us, officials from our Embassy in Abidjan will engage with them on this issue.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the property ownership laws that require a Palestinian family that has inhabited a house in Jaffa continually since 1920 to pay the Israeli government 40 per cent of its present value to avoid eviction.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities.

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other EU member states about the role of international law in conflict prevention.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: International law underpins all of the UK’s work on conflict prevention, as a fundamental part of the rules based international order. As such it is regularly discussed with EU partners both bilaterally and in the EU. In addition, preventing conflicts, in accordance with international law, is a primary objective of the EU's external action, which is discussed regularly with our European partners and the European External Action Service.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take with regard to Israeli demolition notices on Palestinian water wells funded through the UN water development programme in the town of Beit Ummar.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned at the increase in the demolition of structures funded partly or fully by international donors. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns on demolitions with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 7 June, and urged them to provide a legal route for Palestinians to obtain building permits. The UK position on demolitions is clear: demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; are harmful to the peace process; and are, in all but the most exceptional of cases, contrary to international humanitarian law.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the risk that President Joseph Kabila may attempt to change the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to remain in power and not hold the elections scheduled for November.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is clear: a President may serve two terms of five years. In 2015 President Kabila made a tentative attempt to change the Constitution to enable him to stay on beyond the end of his current, final term of office but was rebuffed by the Congolese Parliament. The risk that he will attempt to do so again remains, but the UK position is clear: we do not believe that constitutions should be amended for the benefit of incumbent leaders. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge), has repeatedly urged Foreign Minister Tshibanda to do all in his power to ensure the DRC government enables elections to take place in line with the Constitution. We remain concerned by the lack of progress towards elections in the DRC. Primary responsibility for organising the elections rests with the government and institutions of the state of the DRC. The UK stands ready to support elections. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for International Development, my Hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), announced in March that the UK would make up to £11.4million available to support the election process, provided certain conditions were met. But we have also been clear that individuals responsible for repression and human rights violations in the run-up to the election period will have to face the consequences of their actions.

Khurram Zaki

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have raised the recent murder of Khurram Zaki, and his campaign work, with the government of Pakistan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We condemn the murder of Khurram Zaki in Karachi on 7 May. As a journalist and human rights activist, Khurram Zaki campaigned against sectarian violence and religious extremism in Pakistan. His murder is a sad reminder of the hostile climate in which Pakistani campaigners and journalists operate. Under its National Action Plan, the Government of Pakistan is taking steps to improve security by tackling terrorist and extremist elements. We continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice all its human rights obligations and uphold the rule of law. During his visit to Pakistan in March, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the importance we attach to safeguarding the rights of all Pakistan citizens regardless of ethnicity, faith or political views.

Iraq: Islamic State

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the government of Iraq and the regional government of Kurdistan about the protection needs of people likely to be displaced by current, and proposed, offensives against Daesh, in particular women and children.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional government, and regularly raises with them the protection needs of internally displaced persons arising from the conflict – including the protection needs of girls and women. We continue to urge the Government of Iraq to fulfil its commitments to develop and implement plans to stabilise areas which have been liberated from Daesh by providing the governance, services and security necessary to enable the safe return of people to their homes.The UK has committed £79.5 million of humanitarian assistance to Iraq since summer 2014. This includes cash assistance for vulnerable displaced Iraqis, allowing them to prioritise what they need most. Through the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, we fund a number of projects designed to meet the most urgent needs of displaced Iraqis including emergency healthcare, water and sanitation, and protection services for girls and women. Our partners consider gender related differences in needs when developing all Department for International Development funded projects.

Iraq: Islamic State

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to encourage Kurdish Iraqis, Sunnis and Shia Muslims to live together after defeating ISIS in Iraq.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to unite Iraq’s communities against Daesh and extremism, rebuild public trust in the Iraqi state and deliver the services and opportunities which all Iraqis want and deserve. We welcome the commitments that the Government of Iraq has made to inclusivity, to protecting Iraqi citizens, to addressing human rights abuses and holding those responsible to account. There are now more than 3 million internally displaced people in Iraq. We have committed £79.5 million to the humanitarian effort in Iraq to help those who have fled Daesh’s brutality, and are the largest donor to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs-managed Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund. We are contributing £6 million to the UN’s Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilisation, to help the Iraqi government stabilise areas recently liberated from Daesh and re-establish security, basic services and inclusive local governance. We will provide funding for a number of projects designed to support community cohesion and encourage reconciliation, acceptance and tolerance between communities at a grass roots level.

Iraq: Armed Conflict

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the total number of Iraqi civilians killed since the start of the 2003 Iraq war.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government has not made an estimate of the number of Iraqis killed as a result of terrorism and war-related violence since 2003. While the security situation in Iraq has greatly improved since violence peaked in 2006-2007, Iraqi civilians have been victim to Daesh’s atrocities since the summer of 2014. We utterly condemn such violence and call for those responsible to be brought to justice. The UK is committed to supporting the Government of Iraq as it works to defeat Daesh and put Iraq on the path to long-term peace and stability.

Iraq: Iran

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have gathered any evidence of Iranian fighters in Iraq.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is on the ground in both advisory and combat roles in Iraq and that Iran is providing significant funding, training and equipment to elements of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. Along with our international partners, the UK has consistently made clear that there is a role for all of Iraq’s neighbours in helping defeat Daesh. We have no difficulty with contributions from around the region to the goal of ridding Iraq of the Daesh threat, provided that those contributions are authorised by the Iraqi government. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to encourage all of Iraq’s neighbours to play a transparent and constructive role in its affairs.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Broadband

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Institute of Director’s call in February for a broadband target of 10 gigabits a second by 2030.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government welcomes the Institute of Directors’ Ultrafast Britain: Broadband Report published in February and is committed to working with the market to deliver a digital infrastructure that meets the current and future needs for high speeds, as well as security and resilience. The Government will be setting out its plans for realising this in its upcoming Digital Strategy.

Broadband

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to change the broadband target of 10 megabits per second by 2020 to a higher one, in the light of the progress made by other countries.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government’s ambition for the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) is that it should be set initially at 10 megabits per second. The rationale for the USO is to provide a ‘digital safety net’ to ensure that every home and business is able to access a fast broadband. A broadband USO set at 10 megabits per second is higher than anywhere else in Europe. Spain, for example, has set their USO at 1 megabit per second, and Finland and Malta at 2 and 4 megabits per second respectively. We expect that the USO speed will need to increase over time beyond 10 megabits per second and are committed to keeping this under review to make sure that it keeps pace with consumers’ needs.

Broadband

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s future position in the league table of broadband targets in the EU and OECD countries if a target of 10 megabits per second were achieved by 2020.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It is too early to assess what the impact of the proposed 10 megabit Universal Service Obligation (USO) will have on the UK’s future position in EU and OECD broadband league tables. The contracts we have put in place with Openreach mean that the more homes and businesses that sign up for superfast broadband, the more money Openreach has to return to local authorities to extend the roll out of superfast broadband further. So far, Openreach has confirmed more than £200 million of savings that can be reinvested, over and above the £1.7bn of public funding already allocated. We expect more funding to be confirmed in due course. We will be reinvesting that funding in order to extend superfast broadband to as many additional homes and businesses as possible.

Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press Inquiry

Baroness Hollins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 26 January (HL Deb, col 1152), whether it is their policy that the trial of Mazher Mahmood would need to be completed before Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry could take place.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Criminal proceedings connected to the subject matter of the Leveson Inquiry, including the appeals process, have not yet been completed. We‎ have always been clear that these cases must conclude before we consider Part 2 of the Inquiry.

Broadband: Business

Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the minimum broadband speeds required to help British businesses remain competitive in a global economy.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government recognises the importance of broadband access throughout the UK for businesses in remaining globally competitive. That is why the Review into Business Broadband, jointly led by BIS and DCMS, was announced on 24 February to explore the barriers faced by businesses in accessing the affordable, high-speed broadband they need. That Review is ongoing and will report later this year.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pension Protection Fund

Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many companies required to pay levies to the Pension Protection Fund had put in place a contingent asset that replaced the Pension Protection Fund’s Failure Score for the company with that of a different company in each of the three years to 2012–13; and what are the names of those companies.

Baroness Altmann: We are unable to supply the information requested as to do so would incur disproportionate cost. Furthermore, the names of the companies concerned are classed as ‘Restricted Information’ under the Pensions Act 2004.

Personal Independence Payment: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what form of evidence of incapacity is acceptable for Personal Independence Payments claims when a person suffering from severe myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome, for which there is currently no treatment, has had no contact with any medical professionals or auxiliary practitioners for a considerable length of time.

Baroness Altmann: The Department encourages claimants to provide as much relevant evidence as necessary to support their claim. The “How your disability affects you” form and accompanying guidance sets out the range of information that can help the Department reach a decision. The guidance for Health Professionals also sets out sources of further evidence which could help inform their advice to the Department, this includes family members, carers or anyone else who supports them. Before claimants are invited for a face-to-face consultation, all of the evidence held is reviewed and if, at that stage, a decision can be made on the paper evidence alone, then claimants will not be required to attend a face-to-face consultation. Alternatively, further evidence that might help inform the Department’s decision on the claim can be requested by the Health Professional. If the Health Professional cannot provide advice to the Department at this stage, or where there is insufficient or no other suitable sources of evidence on which to make an assessment, claimants will be invited to attend a face-to-face consultation. This gives claimants the opportunity to put across their own views of the impact of their health condition on their everyday lives, ensuring that decisions reflect the best evidence. In some cases we carry out consultations in the claimant’s home.

British Home Stores: Pensions

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 6 June (HL Deb, col 627), whether they have the necessary power to pursue pension contribution payments from companies where the parent company is based in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, or Monaco.

Baroness Altmann: Each case will need to be considered on its own merits but the Pensions Regulator can use its anti-avoidance powers against targets that are based abroad. Section 303 of the Pensions Act 2004, governing the service of documents abroad, is intended to operate outside the UK jurisdiction The power to enforce any regulatory action against a non-UK company is likely to require the approval or cooperation of the relevant overseas authorities. By and large, these provisions should be enforceable in other EU and Commonwealth jurisdictions. The Pensions Regulator has demonstrated that it is prepared to use its anti-avoidance powers against targets that are based abroad, as was shown in its handling of the cases involving Sea Containers and the Lehman Brothers group and a complex investigation into the Carrington Wire Defined Benefit Pension Scheme resulted in a £8.5m settlement with two Russian companies.

Personal Independence Payment

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any provision for people claiming Personal Independence Payments who have difficulty in completing questions by hand to be able to complete the forms electronically; and if not, whether they plan to introduce such a facility.

Baroness Altmann: We are developing a digital service for claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which brings the current PIP telephony claim and paper form together.We have tested a number of different design approaches with users and, based on feedback, are developing an application process that is more tailored to individual needs. From April 2016 we started making the online PIP claim available to a small number of PIP claimants on a voluntary basis. This will allow us to get direct feedback, make ongoing improvements and ensure this new service is effective and secure before it is available nationally.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Global Challenges Research Fund

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process by which Global Challenge Research Fund programmes will be agreed; and whether final decisions will be determined by reference to the Haldane principle.

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement ministers will have in determining the areas of global challenge before monies from the Global Challenge Research Fund are allocated to Research Councils.

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process for agreeing cross-research council proposals before accessing Global Challenge Research Fund monies.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: As stated in the recent White Paper, Government is committed to the Haldane principle, including with respect to Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As with other areas of science and research activity, Research Councils will work with other delivery partners to prepare a high-level research strategy for the GCRF, which they will agree with Ministers. The specific approach to be taken to currently unallocated funds will be developed with delivery partners over the coming months, and will include using the funding to promote multidisciplinary research, in line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations.

Students: Loans

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider linking the interest rate on student loans to the Consumer Price Index rather than the Retail Price Index.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government has no plans to link the interest rate on student loans to the Consumer Prices Index, rather than the Retail Prices Index. The Retail Prices Index has been used as the basis for calculating the interest rates applied to income-contingent student loans since they were introduced in 1998.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Labour Turnover

Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills have (1) been recruited into the department (a) from within the civil service, or (b) from outside the civil service, and (2) left to (a) other posts within the civil service, and (b) other roles outside of the civil service, in each of the last five years.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The total number of civil servants within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills HQ (BIS) who have (1) been recruited into the department (a) from within the civil service, or (b) from outside the civil service, and (2) left to (a) other posts within the civil service, and (b) other roles outside of the civil service, in each of the last five years are shown in the tables below. Recruited to BIS Year of joiningJoined from outside the Civil ServiceJoined from within the Civil ServiceGrand Total2011-121851903752012-132432084512013-141861863722014-151581983562015-16170145315Grand Total9429271869Left BIS Year of leavingLeft the Civil ServiceMoved to another part of the Civil ServiceTotal2011-123381544922012-132531013542013-142051203252014-152441574012015-16364273637Grand Total14048052209

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Labour Turnover

Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average duration of employment for civil servants within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in each of the last five years.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The length of service for employees of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills HQ, in each of the last five years, is shown in the table below.Period endingAverage length of service (Years)31 March 201616.331 March 201515.831 March 201415.631 March 201315.631 March 201215.6 The data above relates to the total length of their employment within the Civil Service.